Onward Nation With Stephen Woessner | Interviews With Todays Top Business Owners | Careers

Yann Ilunga is a podcasting consultant and the host of four podcasts. His latest show, The Podcaster Lab, teaches and discusses podcasting with a brand new approach. Dubbed as a “Podcasting Advocate” by Forbes, Yann is also the founder of the Podcast Success Academy and the creator of what has become the world’s biggest virtual summit for podcasters: The Podcast Success Summit. What you’ll learn about in this episode How hosting your own podcast can help express yourself How you can build a business around podcasting How having a podcast can help build your existing business Having your own podcast to help connect to clients in a more human way Why podcasting is a marathon and not a sprint Why it is necessary to be flexible and willing to pivot and change if necessary Not letting fear or self-doubt keep you from having a podcast How to leverage your podcast as an asset for your business The importance of focusing on building your own community for your podcast How being strategic with your time and money can

Isaac Lidsky is the New York Times best-selling author of “Eyes Wide Open: Overcoming Obstacles and Recognizing Opportunities in a World That Can’t See Clearly.” Diagnosed with a blinding eye disease when he was 13 years old, Isaac slowly lost his sight over the next 12 years. He graduated from Harvard at age 19 with a degree in mathematics and computer science; founded an Internet startup that later sold for $230 million; and became the only blind person to clerk at the U.S. Supreme Court when he worked for Justices Sandra Day O’connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. What you’ll learn about in this episode The power of the mind to shape and create the reality that we experience The importance of challenging assumptions How we have the power to choose the life we are going to live Why fear is one of the biggest obstacles keeping you from living the life you want Why many times what you are perceiving as truth or being out of your control really isn’t How being honest, transparent, and accountable to yourself are ke

Aaron Hendon is one of the top real estate agents in Seattle, Washington. He and his team bring together a diverse background and history, including transformational leadership, entrepreneurial start-ups, and consistently outperforming the local market, selling homes for over 5 percent more than the local market average. He founded a New York bagel shop in 1989 and 9 years later — sold it with a gross revenue of over $1 million annually. Aaron is currently at work on his next book entitled, “Short Changed by Short Cuts: 44 Surprising Ways People Rip Themselves Off When Buying or Selling Their Home.” What you’ll learn about in this episode Hiring the right people that will assist in making sound business decisions The importance of creating a system of accountability The value of reading and learning about the Profit First System Why Aaron wrote his latest book, “Short Changed by Short Cuts” One way people short change themselves when buying or selling their home Why consistency is a critical skill to master

Craig Ballantyne is the author of “The Perfect Day Formula: How to Own the Day and Control Your Life”. He discovered The 5 Pillars of Success, which he used to overcome his crippling anxiety attacks, and today, shows men and women how to use the 5 Pillars to overcome any obstacle in their way. You may remember Craig and the wisdom he shared during Episode 264. If you haven’t listened to, studied, and applied all he shared during our first interview…I highly encourage you to add Episode 264 to your list of vital priorities. What you’ll learn about in this episode Why Craig built the Work-Life Mastery program How striving for work-life balance causes business owners anxiety The importance of building a better vision for yourself and setting the bar higher How to enjoy work and make an impact on the world guilt free   The benefits of tackling your hardest or least desirable project first thing in the morning The importance of using all the media channels available to you What Craig defines as the four values of

Rich Sheridan is the CEO and co-founder of Menlo Innovations and author of “Joy, Inc.: How We Built a Workplace People Love”. His company was founded with the purpose of bringing joy to the world through software and to teach this method to others. Rich spends the majority of his time sharing the “Menlo Way” through teaching classes, leading tours, speaking at conferences and mentoring entrepreneurs in the community. You may remember Rich and the wisdom he shared during Episodes 37 and 286. If you haven’t listened to, studied, and applied all he shared during our other interviews...I highly encourage you to add Episodes 37 and 286 to your list of vital priorities. What you'll learn about in this episode The benefits of focusing on leaders, rather than bosses The outcomes of having a leadership model versus a hierarchical model How the culture of Menlo is shared openly The importance of being flexible and adaptable to change How you can learn and grow by being willing to challenge assumptions Why creating joy

Les Trachtman is the CEO of The Trachtman Group, focusing on helping companies grow and scale, as well as managing director of “Purview”, an early stage company focused on disrupting the medical imaging business. For the past two decades, he has taught and lectured at numerous universities across the country, including the Harvard Business School and the MIT Sloan School of Business. A portion of Les’ career is chronicled in the Harvard Business School case study: “Les is More Times Four”, which educates entrepreneurs at leading business schools. What you’ll learn about in this episode The importance of having a succession plan for your business How far into the future you should be looking into a business succession plan Why identifying the truth in an organization is important How celebrating mistakes leads to learning opportunities The importance making employees feel safe to voice thoughts and opinions Why choosing the right individuals to hire is vital to your business’s success How picking the right cu

AJ Wilcox is a LinkedIn ads pro who founded B2Linked.com, an agency that specializes in account management and consulting with LinkedIn Ads. He is globally recognized as one of the top LinkedIn ads experts and speaks, trains, presents, and manages advertising campaigns for executives and teams around the world. And his agency recently became a Certified LinkedIn Partner. What you'll learn about in this episode The benefits of using LinkedIn paid ads to generate leads for your business Determining if LinkedIn ads are the right fit for your company The two different channels of digital marketing How to use account based marketing to target customers Why you should approach any social channel with a thought towards audience, messaging and offer (AMO) Lead costs and quality comparison between LinkedIn and Facebook How the traditional model of selling is changing in the digital age How overcoming your fear of failure can lead to success The importance of testing your product in the marketplace Why understanding y

Josh Tickell is an award winning film director and bestselling author. His films and books focus on critical issues including the need for alternative energy, reversing climate change, and the power of Millennials to change the world. He co-directed the film “GOOD FORTUNE”, the rags to riches story of Paul Mitchell and Patron cofounder, John Paul DeJoria. He regularly films and interviews luminaries such as Elon Musk, Woody Harrelson, and Sheryl Crow. Josh has been a guest on The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, Morning Joe, and The Today Show. His new book, “Kiss the Ground” with a foreword by Whole Foods Founder, John Mackey, hits store shelves in November. What you’ll learn about in this episode How cynicism can be destructive, caustic, and contagious The importance of turning a negative situation into a positive What the B Corp classification model is Becoming a better business by taking care of the people who are taking care of you What the fundamental resource of our economy is How soil has the powe

Our special encore guest today is Anne Deeter Gallaher and she is the Owner and CEO of Deeter Gallaher Group, a marketing, public relations, and digital media firm. She is the co-author of the book, “Students in High Gear: A Guide for Students and Aspiring Game Changers in Transition from College to Career” -- and -- “Women in High Gear: A Guide for Entrepreneurs, On-Rampers, and Aspiring Executives”. You may remember Anne and the wisdom she shared during Episode 316. If you haven’t listened to, studied, and applied all she shared during our first interview...I highly encourage you to add Episode 316 to your list of vital priorities. What you'll learn about in this episode The importance of being gracious and kind to everyone you come in contact with Being aware that your business holds the key to controlling its own brand and content The need to control your personal brand in addition to your businesses brand Why being honest and not just telling your clients what they want to hear is important The importan

Ava Kaufman has the heart of a 17-year-old boy…literally. Just a few years ago, she was a successful businesswoman in Los Angeles, but after being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder, life changed dramatically. She lost everything. After going through a heart transplant, Ava founded a nonprofit called “Ava’s Heart Foundation” which provides resources and case management to organ transplant patients and their families – filling a critical void in the healthcare system. What you’ll learn about in this episode The importance of living in the moment Why it’s important to celebrate all the stakeholders in a project Why donors and recipients have two different sets of emotions How Ava’s Heart is meeting a financial gap for organ recipients How Ava’s Heart provides education and resources to both donors and recipients The goal of Ava’s Heart: to become the go-to foundation for both donor and recipient families How sometimes businesses are formed out of great tragedy and then go on to serve a great purpose The

Chad Hendricks is the vice president, owner, and digital marketing manager at Brand Outcomes. He is also the host of the top rated Recruit and Retain Podcast. He is an entrepreneur at heart with a natural attraction to new ideas. He thrives on variety and is driven by consistent learning, generating innovative ideas, and improving workplaces. Chad has a well-rounded background with past experience in sales, accounting, high school teacher, coach, a business owner, and is currently a wanna to be ukulele player. What you'll learn about in this episode How people grow and learn when pushed beyond their comfort zone The importance of retaining employees due to the high costs of replacement Finding value and learning through group mentorships, books, and podcasts Why having good communication with your employees is important Being able to have tough conversations by breaking through barriers of fear The power of being a good mentor to others within your organization Using self-awareness to become a better person

Good Morning, Onward Nation…I’m Stephen Woessner and welcome to Episode 600! Today’s episode is going to be a solocast — where I fly solo without a guest so that you and I have an opportunity to explore a topic with some real depth — and in the process — I can share practical and tactical steps — also with some real depth — that you can take and apply into your business right away to accelerate your business development with more leads and sales. And we are going to follow that exact recipe today. But before we do — I owe you a very big thank you. Seriously…episode 600!?! Seriously…it feels like yesterday when Scott McKain and I recorded Episode 1. And we have had the privilege and honor — that we take very seriously — of being able to serve business owners in 115 countries with our daily episodes. All of which is possible because of the questions YOU ask me, the feedback YOU send my way where you help us see what we are doing right — or — when YOU push us to go where we need to go in order to get better. So

Nathan Hirsch is a serial entrepreneur, an expert in remote hiring, and eCommerce guru. Selling online since 2010, Nate has sold well over $25 million worth of product through his eCommerce business. He is now the co-founder and CEO of FreeeUp.com, the hands-on hiring marketplace connecting hundreds of online business owners with reliable, pre-vetted remote workers. FreeeUp is redefining how businesses are able to hire remote freelancers online. What you'll learn about in this episode How to find weaknesses within your business and turn them into strengths The importance of communication when hiring remote workers How FreeeUp.com connects business owners with freelancers Tackling your vital priorities by valuing not only your time but also your team’s time Focusing your time as a business owner on tasks that grow your business How finding time, either early morning or late evening can maximize your productivity Why diversifying your business is critical to your success The importance of being a good problem

Nancy Bleeke has spent years in the trenches as a Sales Professional, Sales Manager, and Sales Coach. She is the winner of the Top Sales World Magazine’s 2013 Gold Medal Book Award for ‘Conversations That Sell’, declared a “must-read” for sales teams around the world. Nancy’s practical focus since 1998 has been equipping companies to grow Sales, Customer Loyalty, and Employee Engagement through customized Training, Consulting, Assessments, and effective Processes. What you’ll learn about in this episode Looking at sales as simply helping others through the decision making process The need for more technical sales training in multiple business fields How to overcome overwhelming and scary feelings about being a salesperson The importance of finding a positive mentor to lean on in times of struggles How stepping out of your comfort zone may push you to success Why learning to sell is a critical skill to master in business The importance of identifying your approach to doing business Building trust with your po

Bill Troy is an Inc. 500 CEO who, for 25 years, has helped global brands like Sony, Disney and Nestle see the world from a different perspective. As CEO of Civilis Marketing, Bill and his team help companies initiate and nurture relationships that drive business growth using today’s digital communication tools. He is also the author of the book “CLICKSAND: How Online Marketing Will Destroy Your Business (And The Unlikely Secret To Saving It).” What you’ll learn about in this episode The importance of testing your assumptions to know that they work Finding a balance between what is effective and what is efficient Why online marketing may not be the answer that your business needs Being weary of online marketing pitchmen using questionable tactics and data Why it’s important to build customers face to face through human contact The importance of having a balanced marketing strategy Learning to navigate through the confusing world of sales and marketing Staying focused on the measurables within your business Bu

Yigal Adato is a leadership expert, speaker, and an executive coach to business owners and is on a mission to build a legion of leaders. He dedicates himself to helping business owners master self-leadership skills, make more money, stress less, and have more freedom to do what they love. Yi – gall is also the Founder of “Unlock the Leader” and the host of the show “Small Business – Big Leaders.” What you’ll learn about in this episode How to unlock the leadership potential within yourself Finding a different avenue of leadership to reduce the stress in your life How to be a great leader by having clarity, courage, and commitment Why learning to delegate can lead to having more time to do what you love Working on yourself in all areas of life to help you become a better leader Why not being afraid to be honest is a critical skill to master The importance of setting boundaries within your work and personal life Why as a leader you need to humble and learn to apologize when you are wrong Being clear about exac

Charles Carroll is an eight-time Culinary Olympian, speaker and Executive Chef of the third busiest country club in the United States – Houston’s River Oaks. He won his first Culinary Olympics gold medal at the 1988 games at the age of 24 & was named one of the year’s Great Country Inn Chefs by the James Beard Foundation in 1993. Charles was personally commended by U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama for his work with U.S. troops in Afghanistan in 2011 and 2013. What you’ll learn about in this episode Keeping roadblocks from standing in the way of reaching your goals Why learning to listen is a critical skill for business owners to master The importance of being a good teammate How hiring the right people is vital to success Focusing your efforts into what you excel at Why it’s important to always dream big How taking a leap of faith can lead to success The power of persistence and how it leads to opportunity Not letting the negative hold you bac

Adrienne Garland is the founder of She Leads Media, a media company dedicated to leadership – both professionally and personally – for women, worldwide. The mission of She Leads Media is to inspire, educate and ultimately, to showcase women as the leaders we were all meant to be. You may remember Adrienne and the wisdom she shared during Episode 320. If you haven’t listened to, studied, and applied all she shared during our first interview…I highly encourage you to add Episode 320 to your list of vital priorities. What you’ll learn about in this episode Why Adrienne created the “She Leads” conference to be practical and tactical The importance of avoiding procrastination and distractions Why your definition of success will change throughout your life How fear can lead to missed opportunities Recognizing you may need another perspective to help you push past challenges Learning to lean on others when you don’t have all the solutions The importance of having open, honest communication with everyone on your tea

Lauren Magura is the founder and CEO of Cinematcher – the matchmaking app for film, TV, and digital media jobs and events. She came up with the idea of Cinematcher through her passion for connecting people. Lauren has a background from NBC operations and Universal Pictures in marketing and film. The true dedication of everyone in the industry, and the need for an instant and location-based hiring process to keep up with the massive increase of content creation, influenced her to put Cinematcher into motion. What you’ll learn about in this episode How writing lists helps you accomplish your vital priorities each day Why scheduling all calls or in-person meetings for the same day can be a time saver How following your internal clock can lead to being more energized throughout your day Reducing distractions during the day by setting your cellphone aside The importance of not letting negative criticism affect you but rather turn it into a positive Surrounding yourself with people who know what you don’t The powe

Charles Dobens is the co-founder of the Multifamily Investing Academy – an educational foundation dedicated to working with new investors to train them in the correct way to acquire, operate and own multifamily property. A Boston-based attorney and founder of Dobens Law, Charles has also acquired over 800 apartment units around the country and works exclusively with investors looking to acquire multifamily properties. What you’ll learn about in this episode How the best learning experiences often arise out of failures Avoiding mistakes by verifying everything and learning you can’t always trust everyone The 5 points of how to make money in multifamily properties The importance of businesses having total control of their records, accounting, and cash Why the most critical skill for business owners is to master is sales and marketing The key lesson of being a good mentor and helping others succeed Focusing on both the front end and back end of a business deal at the same time The importance of finding the righ